﻿The cabin boy...also known, as the pocket ass of the sea. These young lads were basically on board ships to do whatever the Captain ordered, the lowest ranking if ranked at all, usually only in their early teens...an oceanic skivvy and occasional sex toy for sailors (they got lonely at sea for weeks and months at a time)...so generally not someone you wanted to be if you could help it. So, when a band names themselves CABIN BOY JUMPED SHIP, you get it. The Leicestershire based 5-piece are all about going against the chain of command, they have had enough of being told what to do, whats right and wrong; they have their own vision and their own path they wish to follow, and so, they've released the appropriately titled new EP "Pathways". Let's check it out...MAN OVERBOARD!!!!

We begin with "The Beginning" oddly enough and it's a simple, piano led minute long intro-track...the subtle addition of synths layered within gradually builds up a feeling of expectation and you feel as though CBJS are going to let rip any moment now...and they do via "Dead Ends". Straight away we feel the riff-heavy approach to their metalcore offerings and duel approach vocals...there's nothing particularly different about this, it's pretty straightforward stuff, swaying back and forth between clean, gang and aggressive vocals, it's got breakdowns...it's OK.

"The New World Order" is up next and it's a hard one to pin down quite frankly...the vocals are a bit mish-mash, even going as far as death metal growls in parts, the chorus sounds disjointed and the brief electronic / techno aspects just add even more confusion...like, did you ever watch WCW? Where at the end of every Nitro, the NWO would run down and cost a match and it would be one big clusterfuck? This is the soundtrack to that...followed directly by the first of two pointless interludes. This is an EP...you don't need interludes. Stop.

"Pathways And Promises", the shortest track proper is a straight up brutal metalcore affair and stands out as an EP highlight here simply because of that reason alone, it's to the point and doesn't over complicate itself, while "Waste Away" and finally then "Replace The Hate" finish the EP, the latter probably utilising the electronica to its best potential in what is undeniably, at least a catchy chorus.

When you look at CBJS you cant help but think they really want to be MOTIONLESS IN WHITE, and their sound hints at that...but their sound also incorporates elements of artists like ENTER SHIKARI and, really, I believe it's fair to say you can applaud them for throwing everything at this, experimenting is fine, dabbling is fine...but it needs structure. This sounds like they can't yet decide what suits them best...and when they do, they have potential. Until then...the cabin boy, with his new found, buggery-free life of freedom, is enjoying as much as he can with a sense of excitement. [4]

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Gavin J Griffiths, a.k.a GavTheGothicChav, lover of new music and supporter of bands. Inspired by a mixture of horror and comedy, and fueled by a blend of alcohol and sarcasm...if you're singer / in a band and would like a review written up, please do get in touch via the email address at the top of the page and I'll get back to you ASAP. Much love x